From the Desk of Dr. Len

Should I Ask My Doctor about Using Vitamin Supplements

Dr. Len Lopez - Friday, August 03, 2018

I'm often asked if I should ask my doctor about using vitamin supplements to help.

My typical response is - it depends!

If your doctor uses nutrition and supplements to improve the health and well being of himself, his family and his patients – they could be helpful!However, you don’t ask a poor person how to make money, so why would you ask a doctor who doesn’t use supplementation for the health and well-being for themselves or their patients to comment on their benefits?

Today doctors are very specialized.You don’t ask your cardiologist about your achy joints, or your OB/GYN about your digestive problems.Most doctors practice ‘reactive’ medicine, and treat symptoms, more so than addressing the cause of the problem, which in many cases can be helped with the Right Diet and Supplement plan for their current health condition.

As great as our medical system is in some areas, we struggle with chronic, degenerative health issues such as….arthritis, diabetes, fatigue, colitis, irritable bowel, insomnia, depression, osteoporosis, blood pressure, etc…which do much better with a change in diet and supplement plan.

So, if you struggle with various health issues that aren’t getting better and you don’t want to take a medication you would be wise to seek a more natural, holistic approach. The one thing people need to understand is that we typically eat 3 times a day. The question is are you eating foods that are healthy and nourishing? Or do you eat more processed, packaged foods that don't have a lot of health benefits?

Secondly, are you digesting and absorbing those important nutrients? Just because you ate it doesn't mean you absorbed and utilized it. It is so common to see so many patients/clients who struggle with digestive issues such as bloating, gas, heartburn, irritable bowel, leaky gut, Crohn's, colitis....that are all related to an irritated and inflamed digestive system. You have to clear this up!

How do you expect to nourish and strengthen your body, if you aren't absorbing those nutrients? Which means how do you overcome or improve on any health issue - if your digestive system is inflamed? A healthy gut is a major foundation in overcoming any chronic health related or degenerative matter.

Health Quizzes

Is stress throwing off your metabolism and causing fatigue, weight gain, cravings, hormonal imbalances, etc. Your body can ONLY handle so much stress! Check to see if your problems could be a result of too much stress.

If your digestive system is not functioning properly, how do you expect to nourish and strengthen your body. All that irritation and inflammation is a further stress on your adrenal glands. Check to see if you are absorbing the nutrients in your diet and supplements.

Do you accumulate or eliminate toxins? Internal pollution, due to constipation, diarrhea, a sluggish liver and lymphatic system causes a build-up of toxins that can have a huge negative impact on your health. Test to see if your elimination system is part of your problem.

Has your metabolism shifted? Are you burning fats or carbs and lean muscle? Are you staying in your ‘fat-burning’ zone 24/7? You can never get the weight off or overcome fatigue if you’re constantly burning carbs and lean muscle!